RN to BSN Degree Details
The RN to BSN program is a fully online, flexible and affordable option designed to help registered nurses who have an associate degree in nursing move ahead in their nursing career.
Each course in the program is offered a minimum of three times per year. Students have the ability to design their own pace of degree completion. Our faculty and staff are here to help you map your nursing career and reach your professional goals.
How long will it take to complete the RN to BSN?
The student determines a pace that fits their personal and professional responsibilities.
Deadlines
Term | Application due date |
|---|---|
Spring term 1 | Dec. 1 |
Spring term 2 | Feb. 1 |
Summer term 1 | April 1 |
Summer term 2 | June 1 |
Fall term 1 | July 1 |
Fall term 2 | Sept. 1 |
Tuition and Fees
Note: Estimated cost is based on the South Dakota Board of Regents' 2026-27 tuition and fees. Additional costs will be incurred throughout the BSN program, including, but not limited to, textbooks.
| State of Residence | Price per credit | Estimated curriculum cost |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Residents | $462 | $13,860 |
| South Dakota Advantage Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Colorado, Montana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Wyoming | $462 | $13,860 |
| Nonresident | $586 | $17,580 |
SDSU is committed to helping students find the resources available to help pay for college. Discuss financial aid options with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships early in the application process by calling 605-688-4702. There are also several College of Nursing scholarship opportunities available to registered nurses.
Sample Plan of Study
Academic Advising Guide Sheet
The academic advising guide sheet promotes student success by guiding all students to timely completion their degree.
RN to BSN Courses
- NURS 300: Transition to BSN (three credits)
- NURS 301: Emerging Issues in Nursing (three credits)
- NURS 452: Introduction to Population Health (three credits)
- NURS 455: Quality Improvement and Safety (three credits)
- NURS 462: Application of Population Health (three credits)
- NURS 463: Systems-Based Practice in Healthcare (three credits)
- NURS 465: Evidence-Based Practice and Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ (three credits)
- NURS 466: Healthcare Informatics and Technologies (three credits)
- NURS 468: Palliative Care Nursing (three credits)
- NURS 469: Nursing Leadership in Practice (three credits)
30 credits must be completed with SDSU
Details | Credits |
|---|---|
| System general education requirements | 32-33 |
| Prenursing requirements | 11 |
| Major requirements | 76 |
| Associate degree completion | 46 |
| SDSU College of Nursing courses | 30 |
| Electives | 1 |
| Total number of hours required for major | 76 |
| Total number of hours required for BSN degree | 120 |
Student Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of the RN to BSN program, you will have the knowledge to:
- Integrate knowledge, skills and values from a liberal education into the nursing discipline.
- Integrate nurse-led initiatives and leadership to improve the quality and safety of healthcare.
- Incorporate evidence-based practice in complex healthcare systems to enhance quality of care and safety.
- Demonstrate proficiency in informatics and healthcare technologies to support the healthcare process and improve outcomes.
- Interpret and evaluate implications of health policy and system-based practice in nursing.
- Integrate effective interprofessional communication and collaborative team-based partnerships into professional nursing practice.
- Improve equal population health outcomes through healthcare management across the lifespan.
- Integrate behaviors that reflect nursing values, ethics and professional standards into practice.
- Provide compassionate, person-centered care.
The RN to Grad program is designed to help registered nurses who have an associate degree in nursing move ahead in their career. The program allows students in the RN to BSN program to substitute up to four graduate-level courses (12 credits) as part of the RN to BSN curriculum to help jump-start progress towards select master's or doctoral degrees at SDSU. Students apply to the RN to Grad program, and admission is granted to both the RN to BSN program and their respective graduate program at the time of admission.
Clinical
A primary component of nursing education is the clinical experience. Clinicals for the RN to BSN program can be completed in your own community, pending approval of affiliation agreements. Please note, clinical experiences may not be allowed in states outside of South Dakota due to National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements or state board of nursing requirements. If you do not live in South Dakota, please contact us for to see if our RN to BSN program is right for you.
Can I complete prerequisite courses while in the RN to BSN major?
Registered nurses can be admitted to the major with three or fewer prerequisite courses left for completion. These courses must be completed in semesters one and two of the major.
How many nurses are admitted?
Number of admissions may vary based on faculty and financial resources.
How will I know if I am admitted to the RN to BSN option?
Acceptance is conditional on:
- Completion of an associate degree in nursing program
- Unencumbered license in state of practice
- Completion of prerequisites
- College of Nursing requirements for drug screening, background check, evidence of personal liability insurance, current immunization status and CPR certification
What are the computer requirements?
Visit the Center for Online and Professional Education page for technical and software requirements, as well as much more.
What courses on my transcript transfer to SDSU?
Many registered nurses complete associate nursing programs offered by community or technical colleges.
Current SDSU general degree requirements for transferring community or technical college credits:
- SDSU baccalaureate degree requires 120 credits
- Forty-six community or technical college nursing credits
- Students must complete 30 SDSU credits
Can I transfer to RN to BSN from another nursing program?
Transfer students who have begun but not completed a nursing program at another college or university must submit official transcripts as part of the university general admission process. The College of Nursing evaluates transcripts to award appropriate credits.
